Clinical Medical Practice University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Overview

Key facts

Clinical associates have the knowledge, attitude, and psychomotor skills to assist doctors and healthcare teams in improving patient care, and especially in providing treatment in rural and disadvantaged communities. Clinical associates practice medicine in government hospitals and clinics, for NGOs providing care, and for the private healthcare sector, under the license of a medical practitioner. They are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

As a qualified clinical associate, you will:

• Perform patient consultations and physical examinations, including assessment and management of patients in casualty or emergency wards, for all common medical conditions.
• Perform routine procedures, under supervision, in hospital wards, emergency departments, outpatient departments, and clinics.

At the  Clinical Medical Practice programme offered by University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, you will be taught mainly at district hospitals but also at other hospitals and at Wits Medical School. The three year, full-time clinical associate programme aims to develop sound knowledge of the medical and clinical sciences, and facilitates understanding of medical conditions and management strategies. You need detailed knowledge of biomedical sciences in areas related to procedural performance.

Career Opportunities

Clinical Associates are mid-level healthcare workers who have the necessary knowledge, attitudes and psychomotor skills to be able to under the supervision of a doctor assist health care team members to improve patient care, especially in rural and disadvantaged communities.